Trump's Terms Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testifies about visiting Jeffrey Epstein's island
Feb 11, 2026
Stephen Fowler, an NPR reporter who covers national investigations, breaks down Howard Lutnick's ties to Jeffrey Epstein. He outlines Lutnick's changing accounts, testimony about visiting Epstein's island, conflicting Epstein file records, and reactions from lawmakers and the White House. Multiple short segments spotlight the limits and implications of the released documents.
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Lutnick's 2005 Visit And Later Claims
- Howard Lutnick once claimed he cut ties with Jeffrey Epstein after a 2005 visit that made him uncomfortable.
- The claim conflicted with communications later found in the released Epstein files showing continued contact.
Family Lunch On Epstein's Island
- Lutnick told Congress he visited Epstein's island for lunch with his family and left after an hour.
- He presented the trip as a family vacation despite the controversy around Epstein's past convictions.
Files Undercut Public Denials
- The released Epstein files contradicted Lutnick's earlier public statement about cutting ties.
- That forced him to answer broader questions in a Senate hearing beyond his original denial.